Fake Punt

[razorback85]

Does anyone else cringe every time we are 4th and short and in punt formation thinking we might try a fake punt? I just know we are going to try one at least once this year!

[BRHogfan]

I was for sure they were going to do a fake in the 4th quarter, but then I remembered Toby had just corked a 54 yarder earlier and knew Bielema was going to let him punt it. 

[Razorbackers]

[DeltaBoy]

When it work's it Glorious but when it Fails it pert near a Disaster.

[RazrRila99]

I was actually calling for it on the 4th and 2 punt.  Just about everyone at the Phoenix watch party was expecting a fake.  Then Ole Miss marched down and scored, we were beside ourselves.  We havent had a fake punt yet this year? 

[jgphillips3]

If our punter was more mobile, we might.  However, it would almost have to be a direct snap to the upback with Baker as our punter.  Not to mention, we really don't want to risk getting one of the nations best punters hurt.

[JaketheSnake]

CBB hired an analytics specialist to show when the risk/reward favors doing things like that.  I dont think we will see too many more fake punts in our future.  Odds of completing the pass seem higher.

[Hankweb]

Baker is a former high school Quarterback...

[S.A.D.C]

When your punter can consistently flip the field and/or pin them deep like Toby can there is even less upside to a fake than "normal".  Your personnel impacts decisions. 

[a0ashle]

If our punter was more mobile, we might.  However, it would almost have to be a direct snap to the upback with Baker as our punter.  Not to mention, we really don't want to risk getting one of the nations best punters hurt.

All our "upbacks" are Offensive linemen, ha ha

[Jackrabbit Hog]

If our punter was more mobile, we might.  However, it would almost have to be a direct snap to the upback with Baker as our punter.  Not to mention, we really don't want to risk getting one of the nations best punters hurt.

Agreed.  I cannot remember a time when I've had as much confidence in a punter as I have in Baker.  The one he boomed in the second half was a thing of beauty.  If he's not the All-SEC punter, it's criminal. 

[ARtillahog]

All our "upbacks" are Offensive linemen, ha ha

Except for Cantrell

[a0ashle]

Except for Cantrell

That's right, forgot about him.

[Polecat]

We need to hire Kevin Kelley as an analytics adviser. It would just be him with an empty clip board yelling "onside kick!"

[lstewart]

I was looking for one Sat night on the 4th and 2 as well. I think we used to run it more often with the Australian kid, as I think he was fast and athletic.  Toby is probably more a traditional punter / former QB. I think he could pick up a short distance, but probably not take it to the house.

[jgphillips3]

All our "upbacks" are Offensive linemen, ha ha

Ha.  Good point.  However, if you slipped Agim in there, he might have the wheels to do it having played RB in high school but would still look like a lineman so as to not give it away.

[Dropkick]

Agreed.  I cannot remember a time when I've had as much confidence in a punter as I have in Baker.  The one he boomed in the second half was a thing of beauty.  If he's not the All-SEC punter, it's criminal. 

Alabama's punter has that in the bag.

[31to6]

CBB hired an analytics specialist to show when the risk/reward favors doing things like that.  I dont think we will see too many more fake punts in our future.  Odds of completing the pass seem higher.

I am sure they have it and they practice it. But even when the fake is "green lighted" that still doesn't mean you are going to run the fake. How the defense lines up is very important. If you go out there knowing you are going to run the fake no matter what that is how you end up taking big risk.

[Gerald Gilber]

have you seen Toby Baker throw in warm ups, he has a good arm with a tight spiral, I keep expecting a fake punt and a pass

[Razorbackers]

CBB hired an analytics specialist to show when the risk/reward favors doing things like that.  I dont think we will see too many more fake punts in our future.  Odds of completing the pass seem higher.

Agree.

[SPAL]

Alabama's punter has that in the bag.

Bama punts? I wasn't aware

[Turminator]

dont cringe as much as first and goal from the 2

[hog of steele]

CBB got a bad reputation on fake punts in his first two years. But remember we sucked those years. We were unable to move the ball or stop an offense. It was gimmicks or nothing on offense. Looking back we have to acknowledge that we haven't used as much of that since we developed an offense that can move the ball and a defense that can stop it.

[Bacons Rebellion]

Anytime there has been a reasonable fake punt situation, I've see our opponent in a very Punt Safe formation. I figure that's CBB's reputation for fakes working for us.

Its fine with me, because they can't block the kick, they probably can't return the kick, and we can't do anything too stupid.

They fakes are fun when they work, but I still remember that Reggie Herring fiasco.

[dsgreen]

I was actually calling for it on the 4th and 2 punt.  Just about everyone at the Phoenix watch party was expecting a fake.  Then Ole Miss marched down and scored, we were beside ourselves.  We havent had a fake punt yet this year?

As soon as they decided to punt, it was obvious Ole Miss was going to march down and tie it up before halftime.  Wish they would have gone for it there.

[bpoecell]

I miss those white helmets.

[Harley_Hawg]

dont cringe as much as first and goal from the 2

Truth

[JONAS]

I miss those white helmets.

Me too. I liked the white helmets.

[VirginiaHog]

Me too. I liked the white helmets.

Me too

[King Kong]

Baker is too good of a punter to fake it in a close game.

CBB went for fakes when he didn't think we had the talent to compete. Now we do.

Also Baker was a QB in HS if we did fake it would be a throw

[Pork Twain]

I, for one, love CBB's bag o tricks.

[Sir Oinksalot]

Baker is too good of a punter to fake it in a close game.

CBB went for fakes when he didn't think we had the talent to compete. Now we do.

Also Baker was a QB in HS if we did fake it would be a throw

EdZacery, this kid is a weapon.....kid hit the best punt at the best time I've ever seen !!
He was in on the tackle of the long return also ....

[flynhog]

Actually, I'm ready to see some trickery.  You are a genius when they work and an idiot when they fail.  Fun either way.

[Smokehouse]

CBB got a bad reputation on fake punts in his first two years. But remember we sucked those years. We were unable to move the ball or stop an offense. It was gimmicks or nothing on offense. Looking back we have to acknowledge that we haven't used as much of that since we developed an offense that can move the ball and a defense that can stop it.

This.

When you have a huge talent deficit you build in more high variance plays to try and get breaks in your favor. Most of the time it ends up making it a worse loss, but you're gambling turning a closer loss into a big loss in return for a chance at a big play that gives you a shot to win. As you close the talent deficit, you focus more on winning more individual plays than risking the high variance stuff.